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Like walking into a museum. When the commission began, the client’s house was practically empty. Nine years and some 90 reproductions later, the house is bursting with American masterpieces. The secretary above, a copy of one made in Salem, Mass., was built by Chris Arato. The Philadelphia lowboy and balloon-seat chairs at right were built by Kendl Monn. devote a third of his workforce to John’s commission for as long as it took. Kendl says, “He was amazingly patient. I think he appreciated the passion we have to really get the furniture right.” 35,000 square feet it was dozens of times larger. Inside, the woodwork approached the quality of fine furniture. In room after room there was floor-to-ceiling French walnut paneling, all mortise-and-tenoned and hand-scraped. There were coffered ceilings, secret doors, and hidden stairs. It had taken 12 years to build. John was camped out in a few rooms, but the great majority of the house, Kendl remembers, “was totally empty. Not a stick of furniture.” 80 FINE WOODWO r KING The story of the Irion commission is one of passion and patience. When they first discussed the job, John asked Kendl to shut Irion down for several years and dedicate the entire shop to his commission. When Kendl said he wouldn’t do that to his many regular customers, John had another proposal: He would buy the business. Determined to keep craftsmen in control of the company, Kendl declined the offer without asking for a price. In the end, he agreed to The Irion shop Founded in 1947, Irion is spread out over the three floors of a century-old former hardware store, and it employs a dozen craftsmen. But it operates like a much smaller shop. Even the largest and most complex pieces were handled start to finish by an individual maker. A craftsman might get a hand along the way, and a few carvings were farmed out, but the responsibility for building the piece was his from drawings through delivery. Most of Irion’s craftsmen arrive on the job green and many stay for a decade or more. They learn the craft through years of building reproductions from start to finish, repairing fine antiques, and talking shop with antiques dealers, collectors, and museum curators. They deepen their knowledge by reading—the shop’s collection of furniture Photos, this page (bottom) and facing page (bottom): Kendl Monn